Comic and Manga Letterer Dave Lanphear Dies From Diabetes Complications at 58
His credits spanned major comics publishers, four manga titles, and television storyboard work.
Dave Lanphear died on August 18 at age 58 from complications related to diabetes. The award-winning cartoonist and letterer worked on comics, manga, and television.
Comic book and manga letterer Dave Lanphear died on August 18 from complications related to diabetes. He was 58, entertainment news website Bleeding Cool reported Monday.
His sister, Tera Lanphear, first announced his death on Facebook on August 22.
Lanphear’s lettering appeared in comics including:
- Batman: The Long Halloween
- Superman '78
- Mighty Avengers
- Wonder Woman
- Thunderbolts
- Danger Girl
- X-Men/WildCATS
- Fraggle Rock
His comics work included titles from these publishers, among others:
- Marvel
- DC
- Image
- Valiant
- Malibu
- Dynamite
His manga lettering credits included:
- Beyblade
- Bleach
- Densha Otoko
- Oyayubihime Infinity
Lanphear received Harvey Award nominations for Best Letterer in 2012 and 2014. His work earned two Eisner Awards in 2011: Best Graphic Album for Return of the Dapper Men and Best Anthology for Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard.
He also contributed to television series, including Dragon Tales and Ultimate Spider-Man, as a storyboard artist and storyboard revisionist.
In a Thursday post, Comic-Con International expressed sadness over his death and recognized his extensive lettering for Marvel, CrossGen, Valiant, DC, and others. It also highlighted Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard and Return of the Dapper Men, which each won a 2011 Eisner Award.
The organization extended its condolences to his sister Tera and fiancée Laura Bee.
Born June 5, 1968, Lanphear was an award-winning cartoonist whose career also included art direction and story production. He worked as a newspaper illustrator from 1985 to 1989.
He joined Comicraft in 1994, where Bleeding Cool credited him with helping develop digital lettering techniques. After leaving in 1999, he headed CrossGen Entertainment’s lettering department.
Lanphear later co-founded Artmonkeys Studios and worked as a freelance letterer. His portfolio is available on Coroflot.
Sources: Tera Lanphear's Facebook page via ANN
